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cnbc.com
HSBC shares drop as first-quarter pre-tax profit misses estimates on higher expected credit losses
Europe's largest lender HSBC on Tuesday reported first-quarter pre-tax profit of $9.4 billion, marginally missing analysts' estimates.
theguardian.com
‘There is a good deal of fear’: what would a Labour leadership challenge mean for bond markets?
Rayner and Burnham are trying to gain markets’ confidence amid concerns they could loosen fiscal rules if they replace StarmerWho calls the shots on the bin collections in Sunderland, potholes in Hackney, or schools in Cardiff is not normally of interest to City traders in the multitrillion-pound sovereign bond market.But for those dealing in UK government debt, Thursday’s local and devolved government elections are significantly more important than usual, amid speculation that a dire showing for Keir Starmer’s Labour party could topple him as prime minister. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
I got £8,500 in Ulez fines after my car number plate was cloned
I’ve received 77 unpaid PCNs from TfL but it won’t accept they weren’t from my vehicleSomeone cloned my car number plate back in October and racked up £8,500 in Ulez fines. I appealed, but this was rejected.Unfortunately, the cloned car is the same make, model and colour as mine. I’ve now received 17 “order for recovery of unpaid penalty charge” notices from Transport for London (TfL). The bailiffs will arrive next week, according to their letters. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Ceasefire at risk of collapse
An escalation in attacks in the Middle East puts the fragile ceasefire at risk, but market activity remains muted, with earnings keeping investors' attention.
cnbc.com
Australia hikes rates again and warns inflation will stay higher for longer
Inflation had picked up materially in the second half of 2025, and the conflict in the Middle East had resulted in sharply higher fuel and commodity prices.
cnbc.com
European stocks set to open lower as Iran war concerns grow
European stocks are expected to open lower on Tuesday as investors digest the latest developments in the Iran war.
theguardian.com
RBA interest rates: Reserve Bank hikes official cash rate to 4.35% in blow to mortgage holders
Reserve Bank of Australia raises rates for third consecutive meeting, lifting them to early-2025 levelsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUse our loan calculator to see how rate hikes could affect you The Reserve Bank has delivered a third straight interest rate hike to contain growing inflationary pressures linked to higher fuel prices, even as it warned the Iranian war would deliver a major blow to the economy.The widely expected decision to lift the cash rate to 4.35% from 4.1% comes as the central bank revealed a gloomy new set of forecasts that showed intensifying cost-of-living pressures alongside weaker growth. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Vodafone sold us a dream - the reality was something different'
Two women from Lincolnshire are among 62 former franchisees taking the phone company to court.
theguardian.com
Concierge firm co-founded by queen’s nephew went on ‘ill-timed’ hiring spree before Iran war
Quintessentially almost quadrupled staff in Middle East and Asia less than year before wealthy began to flee GulfThe embattled luxury concierge service co-founded by Queen Camilla’s nephew Ben Elliot embarked on what appeared to be an inopportune hiring spree in the Middle East and Asia before wealthy individuals began fleeing the region because of the US-Israel war on Iran.Quintessentially almost quadrupled staff in the regions from 22 to 84 during its financial year to 30 April 2025, according to newly released annual accounts, which again reported multimillion-pound losses and warned of “material uncertainty” about its future. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Reversing Thatcher’s failed legacy of privatisation can be a Labour vote-winner. If you see Keir, tell him | Julian Coman
The Tell Sid campaign promised to make the working man rich, but in reality the selling of public assets made us all poorerIn the summer of 1987, as life in Britain was being steadily reshaped by Margaret Thatcher, I landed a temporary job as an electrician’s mate in a steel-drum factory. I was a truly useless assistant, and justified my existence by singing songs to entertain my boss as he worked. As I recall, by the time I left Stuart had come round to quite liking Bob Dylan, but still had no time for the gothic gloominess of the early Cure.While I handed him tools he didn’t need, and failed to locate the ones he did, we occasionally talked about politics. Stuart was a gentle man in his mid-20s, already married and hoping to buy a house. He was also, it turned out, a cautious believer in Thatcher’s promise of a “people’s capitalism” in which working people would get a piece of the action. Prior to my coming to “help” him, he was one of the millions who had responded to the previous year’s Tell Sid ad campaign and bought shares in newly privatised British Gas. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Jaguar Land Rover could have shifted production from UK without £380m battery subsidy, officials warned
Government officials said in December that Britain’s largest automotive employer could lead exodus from UKJaguar Land Rover would have considered moving car production out of the UK and slashing jobs if not for a £380m subsidy for its sister battery company, government officials claimed privately.Officials at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) warned in December that Britain’s largest automotive employer may have triggered an exodus from the UK car industry, according to state aid documents prepared by the competition regulator. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US strikes Iranian fast boats as Iran attacks UAE oil facility
Shipping company Maersk says one of its US-flagged commercial vessels has successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz under US military protection.
cnbc.com
Oil slides as traders assess Middle East developments with Iran attacks keeping markets jittery
Oil prices declined on Tuesday, retreating from sharp gains in the previous session.
cnbc.com
Secret Service officer arrested for indecent exposure in Miami after Trump golf event
Secret Service Officer John Spillman has been placed on administrative leave after his arrest, which in Miami.
cnbc.com
BYD's passenger EV sales drop for an eighth month as competition heats up
BYD's deliveries fell for an eighth straight month in April, while Stellantis-backed Leapmotor logged a record number of deliveries
bbc.com
British pubs closing at a rate of almost two per day in 2026
The British Beer and Pub Association says 161 pubs have closed in the first three months of this year.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Trump's indefinite ceasefire does not seem so definite
Tensions flared up again in the Middle East after Iran struck the United Arab Emirates.
theguardian.com
Trump’s World Liberty Financial venture sues crypto entrepreneur for defamation
Suit alleges that Hong Kong-based Justin Sun engaged in a campaign to ‘torch’ the company’s reputationSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email World Liberty Financial, the crypto venture co-founded by Donald Trump and his sons, said on Monday it had filed a defamation lawsuit in Florida state court against the Hong Kong-based crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, as a dispute escalates between the project and one of its most prominent backers.World Liberty posted a copy of its lawsuit on X in which it accused Sun of launching a “public smear campaign”. It alleged that Sun had improperly transferred some of his WLFI tokens that come with voting and governance rights to crypto exchange Binance and, separately, that he had placed bets that WLFI would decline in market value, known as short selling. That was part of a coordinated effort to push the token’s market price down as public trading began in September, the lawsuit alleged. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Robots move in as waste firms struggle to find staff
Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.
cnbc.com
World Cup prize pool nears $900 million as FIFA boosts payouts. Here’s who gets what
FIFA's upcoming World Cup is set to be the most lucrative on-record, with a 'record breaking' prize pool on offer, as FIFA shrugs off other controversies.
cnbc.com
'The Devil Wears Prada 2' kicks off summer movie season in style with $77 million opening
Disney and 20th Century Studios' "The Devil Wears Prada 2" opened the summer movie season with $77 million in ticket sales.
cnbc.com
Bret Taylor's Sierra raises nearly $1 billion months after last capital push
Sierra's $950 million Series E funding round was led by Tiger and Google's GV, with participation from Benchmark, Sequoia, Greenoaks and others.
cnbc.com
CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: China is rewiring the Silicon Valley model — starting in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's IPO surge looks to be just getting started, as China's tech boom sees its ecosystem mature.
theguardian.com
Elon Musk settles SEC lawsuit over Twitter purchase and agrees to pay $1.5m fine
Musk won’t have to give up any money he allegedly saved from delaying disclosure of initial purchase of Twitter stockSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailElon Musk settled the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s civil lawsuit accusing the world’s richest person of waiting too long in 2022 to disclose his initial purchases of stock in Twitter, now known as X.A trust in Musk’s name will pay a $1.5m civil penalty, without admitting wrongdoing. Musk won’t have to give up any money he allegedly saved from the delay. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran attacks UAE; U.S. says it sank boats in Strait of Hormuz
Stock market indices fell, and oil prices rose after the reported attack on the United Arab Emirates by Iran, which came nearly a month into a ceasefire.
cnbc.com
Novo Nordisk’s head start on GLP-1 pills forces investors to rethink Eli Lilly's dominance
Early signs from the launch of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill and Eli Lilly & Co.'s Foundayo are making investors rethink the opportunity for GLP-1 pills.
cnbc.com
GameStop stock sinks after surprise eBay takeover bid, Cohen's combative CNBC interview
GameStop made a takeover bid for eBay, offering $125 per share in a cash-and-stock deal that values the e-commerce platform at roughly $55.5 billion.
cnbc.com
Circle jumps nearly 20% on Clarity Act compromise that preserves stablecoin rewards
Lawmakers over the weekend reached a compromise on the market structure bill known as the CLARITY Act that keeps stablecoin reward programs intact.
cnbc.com
How Chinese carmaker Geely put roots in the U.S.
Chinese company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has big investments in three automakers already doing business in the U.S.
cnbc.com
Anthropic teams with Goldman, Blackstone and others on $1.5 billion AI venture targeting PE-owned firms
The move marks Anthropic's latest effort to deepen its lead in the market for enterprise AI as competition intensifies with rivals including OpenAI
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Trump, Merz and Europe’s security: EU countries cannot go it alone | Editorial
The announcement of the withdrawal of thousands of US troops from Germany underlines the urgency of a pan-European defence strategyAs Donald Trump’s second term has become overshadowed by plunging poll ratings and an illegal, ill-advised war in the Middle East, European governments have regularly been singled out to bear the brunt of the US president’s growing frustration. Sir Keir Starmer’s refusal to militarily back the attack on Iran led to unfavourable comparisons to both Winston Churchill and King Charles. “Unfriendly” Spain has been threatened with a trade embargo for similar reasons. Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, previously seen as a key political ally, has also been on the receiving end. “I’m shocked by her,” Mr Trump said last month. “I thought she had courage. I was wrong.”Currently it is Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who finds himself in Washington’s crosshairs. In the wake of Mr Merz’s accurate observation that the US has no convincing strategy on Iran, the Pentagon has announced the future withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from bases in Germany. Vital long-range weapons are also to be withheld as American military stockpiles are depleted by events in the Middle East. For good measure, Mr Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on European car manufacturers to 25% – a measure that would hit Germany hardest.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why the Bezos-backed Met Gala is so controversial | The Latest
It's the grandest and glitziest event in the fashion calendar, but this year’s Met Gala has sparked backlash thanks to its new honorary chairs, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The billionaire Amazon founder’s involvement has led to boycotts and criticism of the event. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s fashion and lifestyle editor, Morwenna Ferrier Continue reading...
cnbc.com
How Spirit Airlines' demise will benefit rivals — and raise airfares even more
Spirit Airlines' collapse will give some carriers more pricing power as they race to capture Spirit's customers.
theguardian.com
Shipping firms question safety in strait of Hormuz despite Trump plan
President says US navy will ‘guide’ stranded ships out of waterway but report says warship was hit by IranThe world’s shipping industry has questioned whether vessels will be able to travel safely to and from the Gulf after Donald Trump announced his latest plan to open the strait of Hormuz.Trump wrote on Monday that the US navy would “guide” stranded ships out of the waterway, writing on his social media site Truth Social that the operation, “Project Freedom”, would be a humanitarian gesture “on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Nigerian refinery accused of sacking union members is key to UK plan to tackle jet fuel shortage
Heidi Alexander says part of answer to strait of Hormuz crisis is importing more fuel from US and west AfricaA refinery in Nigeria accused of dismissing workers for joining a union has emerged as key to the UK government’s hopes of saving the summer holiday amid a jet fuel shortage.Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said at the weekend that part of the answer to the strait of Hormuz crisis was to import more fuel from the US and west Africa. Continue reading...
bbc.com
GameStop makes $55.5bn takeover offer for eBay
GameStop's boss Ryan Cohen says he sees potential to make eBay a much bigger rival to Amazon.
theguardian.com
Thousands of Just Eat couriers launch legal action to improve workers’ rights
More than 7,000 join employment tribunal that will include claims for minimum wage and holiday pay More than 7,000 Just Eat couriers are taking legal action against the food delivery company in an attempt to gain better employment rights including the minimum wage and holiday pay.The employment tribunal, which begins on Tuesday and is set to run until 2 June, will determine if the couriers are classed as workers, a status that comes with improved rights, or self-employed independent contractors. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Warsh's take on Fed independence is met with confusion and some concern
Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh is putting his own spin on the independence of monetary policy. Many former Fed officials aren't sold.
cnbc.com
U.S. military denies Iran's claim it struck American warship in Strait of Hormuz
Iran has blocked tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. and Israel started the war in late February, resulting in supply and price shocks.
theguardian.com
Vine video-sharing app is back – and battling AI slop
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is backing new version of app called Divine, where content must be made by a humanAs a pioneer of the short-form video format, Vine has been credited as one of the most influential – if short-lived – social media platforms.The app, which allowed users to record a looping six seconds of video, boomed in popularity after its launch in 2013, spawning a plethora of viral comedy sketches and internet memes. It hit 100 million monthly active users at its peak and helped launch the careers of influencers such as Logan Paul. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US denies Iranian report warship was struck by missiles
It comes as the US said on Monday it will begin to help "guide" vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz.
theguardian.com
Reform government could cause Truss-style chaos, says renewables industry
Lobbyist Tara Singh says stripping projects of subsidy contracts would undermine investor confidence in UKBritain could be beset by levels of economic chaos last seen under Liz Truss if a Reform UK government were to fulfil its promise to strip renewable energy projects of subsidy contracts, according to the industry’s chief lobbyist.The anti-renewables policy put forward by Nigel Farage’s populist party would severely undermine investor confidence in the energy industry and across the wider UK economy, the new chief executive of RenewableUK said. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
‘Misplaced euphoria’: Markets are sleepwalking into a recession amid Iran war oil price shock
As US equities hit fresh highs, strategists warn that investors are downplaying the impact of soaring oil prices.
theguardian.com
GameStop makes $55.5bn takeover offer for eBay
Video game retailer’s CEO warns that unsolicited bid could turn hostile if it is rebuffed by resale site’s board US video games retailer GameStop has offered to buy eBay for $55.5bn (£41bn) in an unsolicited bid that its boss warned could turn hostile if the proposal is rebuffed by eBay’s board.GameStop, which has quietly accumulated a 5% stake in eBay, said it was willing to pay $125 a share, split 50-50 between cash and stock. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK food prices on track to rise by 50% since start of cost of living crisis
Beef and olive oil costs increase the most as climate and energy shocks drive inflation, research suggestsFood prices are on track to be 50% higher in November than at the start of the cost of living crisis in 2021, research suggests.Climate and energy shocks have driven an almost quadrupling of the pace of food price growth, according to research from the thinktank Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), with costs rising in five years at about the same rate as they had over the previous two decades. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
'Bubble effect': Weight loss drug fueled growth is putting the pharma sector at risk, report finds
Obesity assets represent about 25% of total forecast sales of the late-stage pipeline, while oncology's share has slipped to 20%, Deloitte found.
cnbc.com
Treasury yields edge higher as traders monitor factory data and Middle East developments
Treasury yields gained Monday as traders looked out for more U.S. factory data, while monitoring developments in the Middle East.
theguardian.com
Australia and Japan sign agreements on defence, energy and critical minerals – video
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, have announced a new agreement to elevate the 'special strategic partnership' between the two countries following talks in Parliament House in Canberra. The high-level agreement includes statements on economic security, energy trade, critical minerals and defence and security. 'For Australians, it will mean we are less vulnerable to global shocks like we are seeing right now because of conflict in the Middle East,' Albanese says Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: As Gulf fatigue sets in, earnings take center stage
As geopolitical developments indicate a stalemate, company earnings have taken center stage.
cnbc.com
India is burning more coal as extreme heat and the Iran war squeeze energy supplies
India, the world's third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, is burning more coal as demand for power rises, most of which is coal-fired.
bbc.com
'I had to pay £14k after my cat was run over'
People with and without pet insurance are facing large bills when their animals get sick or injured.
theguardian.com
How can care homes charge fees after a death?
Charges set out in a new contract for Aver Healthcare’s homes appear to contradict advice from the regulatorI hold power of attorney for my aunt who is in a care home run by Avery Healthcare. Avery recently sent relatives its new contract, which states that care home fees are payable for 14 days after a resident’s death, and levies an upfront £595 charge for “dilapidations” (damage or wear and tear).These charges contradict advice given by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and are probably unenforceable. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
OPEC+ announces 188,000 barrels-per-day output increase in first meeting without UAE
Concerns around production were amplified further last week with news of the UAE's shock departure.
theguardian.com
Women in developing countries hardest hit by rising debt burden, UN research finds
Study warns women face job losses and increased unpaid care duties as debt and conflict-driven turbulence force spending cutsWomen are hit hardest when the debt burden in developing countries rises, a trend expected to worsen as the war in the Middle East continues, UN research shows.A report by experts from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), based on data from 85 countries gathered across three decades, shows women are disproportionately affected when debt repayments increase significantly. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Could Iran’s escalating economic crisis weaken negotiating position with US?
War has combined with battered economy to leave Tehran wondering how hardline it can afford to beIran may not be choking like a stuffed pig as Donald Trump predicted, but its economy is in serious difficulty as a combination of a massive war-damages bill, inflation, currency devaluation, unemployment and a contraction in oil revenues combine to leave the political elite worrying how hardline they can afford to be with their US negotiators. One estimate circulating in Iran’s media suggests the damage to the economy from the US-Israeli attacks is nine times the value of the Iranian budget last year.The UN Development Programme has estimated that 4.1 million more Iranians could fall into poverty. Continue reading...
bbc.com
What an empty car park tells us about the UK's debt problem
The BBC has been speaking to people living in one of England's poorest communities.
cnbc.com
The nuclear option: Atomic energy could offer Europe hope, say analysts — but it won't be easy
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, has exposed which nations are most exposed to disrupted energy imports.
cnbc.com
Denmark faces data center reckoning as power grid overwhelmed by surging demand
The data center industry is facing a reckoning as governments around the world consider imposing limits on the growth of the power-hungry facilities.
bbc.com
Samsung family pays off record $8bn inheritance tax bill
The bill is tied to the estate left by the firm's late chairman Lee Kun-hee, who died in October 2020.
cnbc.com
Trump says U.S. will 'free' ships trapped in Persian Gulf by Strait of Hormuz closure
Vessels have been largely unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for months, disrupting key supply chains.
theguardian.com
Spirit Airlines says it has nearly finished refunding customers after shuttering
Budget airline left thousands stranded on Saturday after ceasing operations amid financial troublesSpirit Airlines shutdown: how to get home and get refundsPolitical blame game begins and passengers left adrift after Spirit ceases operationsSpirit Airlines has almost finished refunding customers for flights abruptly canceled over the weekend as the company folded.The budget airline left thousands of customers and staff stranded after deciding on Saturday to pull the plug on a business that was struggling for years, before a surge in the price of jet fuel blew a new hole in its budget. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Amsterdam bans public adverts for meat and fossil fuels
Local politicians say the move is in line with the Dutch capital's environmental targets.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on unhealthy Britain: from housing to junk food, there are solutions | Editorial
People are living with sickness or disability younger than a decade ago. That should shock the country and prompt actionThe two-year decline in healthy life expectancy in Britain, set out in new analysis from the Health Foundation thinktank, is devastating. In a wealthy country like the UK, at a time of rapid advances in the treatment of illnesses including obesity and cancer, people should not be living with sickness or disability earlier than they were a decade ago.The report draws on a survey that relies on self-reporting, so is less objective than statistics based on births and deaths. Worsening mental health among younger adults is the area of sharpest deterioration and in some age groups, physical health was reported as having improved. But healthy life expectancy is a useful measure of quality of life and the findings have serious implications for public services. When, in 2028, the retirement age rises to 67, the average person will be in poor health more than six years before they are due to stop work. The researchers state that the decline cannot be put down to the pandemic. Northern Ireland was excluded due to a lack of data. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Guilty until proven innocent: shoppers falsely identified by facial recognition system struggle to clear their names
People shamed and ordered to leave shops after being misidentified then ‘given no help’ to investigate verdictsAI facial recognition oversight lagging far behind technology, watchdogs warnHow does live facial recognition work and how many police forces use it? When Ian Clayton, a retired health and safety professional from Chester, popped into Home Bargains one February lunchtime, he was suddenly approached by a stern-looking member of staff.“Excuse me, can you please put everything down and leave the shop now?” she said. Clayton recalled how he was stunned, and it was only as he was briskly walked past the tills towards the exit that he stopped to ask what he had done. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fashion’s Faustian pact: the high cost of Jeff Bezos’s Met Gala patronage
Billionaire’s role as honorary chair and main source of funding has led to boycotts and criticism event has lost its cachetThe Met Gala in New York is the grandest and ritziest event in the fashion calendar, and an indicator of the growing ties between designers, celebrity and power. But with tech billionaires now joining the cohort, this year’s party may be its most controversial yet.All eyes are on the guest list – and their outfits – to launch the fashion exhibition Costume Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Beyoncé, Venus Williams and Nicole Kidman are chairing the event with Vogue’s Anna Wintour, and tickets cost about $100,000 (£73,500). But in a plot twist worthy of the new Devil Wears Prada film, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, the Met Gala’s new honorary chairs, will be joining the 450 guests on the museum steps on Monday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Starmer adviser held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech bosses
Exclusive: Varun Chandra’s talks with Google, Meta, Apple and others raise fears of ‘lobbying behind closed doors’An influential government adviser close to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech executives, the Guardian can reveal.The No 10 business aide Varun Chandra discussed regulatory changes, AI and Donald Trump’s second administration with tech corporations during confidential meetings between October 2024 and October 2025. In one meeting he offered to help a top executive meet the prime minister directly. Continue reading...
bbc.com
In five charts: How UAE's exit could affect Opec's influence over the oil price
The BBC takes a look in charts at what the UAE's departure could mean for the oil cartel and more widely.
theguardian.com
‘We don’t want to make the same mistakes’: Jamie’s Italian reopens in London
Jamie Oliver’s head of restaurants is optimistic about new recipe of smaller site, slimmed-down menu and no burgersWhen Jamie’s Italian crashed and burned in 2019, with the company in £83m of debt and causing 1,000 job losses, no one imagined the celebrity chef would try again.But seven years later, Jamie Oliver has opened a flagship site under the same name in Leicester Square in central London, and believes he has a new recipe for success: a smaller restaurant with a slimmed-down menu, which features cheaper cuts of meat and no burgers. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Investment or waste? How the M4 relief road plan for Newport sums up Wales’s economic quandary
As potentially seismic Senedd elections loom, competing parties have differing visions of how to reinvigorate the economyIt is afternoon rush hour on the M4 and drivers are yet again making slow progress around the city of Newport, often seen as the gateway to south Wales given its location between Cardiff and Bristol.Cars and lorries are stuck in gridlocked traffic in both directions on the approach to the Brynglas tunnels, where the road narrows to two lanes in each direction, while flashing lights warn motorists in Welsh and English of a ciw (queue). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump may not be a fan of clean energy but Iran war is accelerating global shift from oil and gas | Heather Stewart
Unintended consequence of US president’s actions will be boon for China, the leading renewables manufacturerOperation Epic Fury has thus far achieved none of Donald Trump’s war aims, but it may well accelerate the global transition towards the clean energy he loves to hate.Last week brought the latest exchange of verbal blows in the standoff over the strait of Hormuz. Iran was “choking like a stuffed pig” on the oil it was unable to export because of the US blockade, Trump claimed. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Voters will judge Trump on the economy - how is it doing?
How much Donald Trump can do with the time he has left as president will depend massively on the cost of living.
bbc.com
Airlines can cancel flights in advance over fuel shortages under new plans
Ministers hope move would help avoid last-minute flight cancellations for passengers this summer over Middle East fuel supplies.
theguardian.com
AI chatbot fraud: the ‘gift card’ subcription that may cost you dear
After subscribing to the Claude chatbot, mystery payments started to appear on one family’s credit card bill. They are not aloneDavid Duggan* was so impressed with the ability of the Claude chatbot to answer medical questions and organise family life, that a $20-a-month (£15) subscription seemed like money well spent.But then his wife spotted two $200 payments on his credit card bill for gift cards to use the artificial intelligence tool. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Struggling High Streets fuel sense of neglect for voters ahead of local elections
Failing High Streets fuel a wider sense of political discontent which could prove crucial in the upcoming elections for English councils in May.
bbc.com
Spirit Airlines shutting down after rescue talks collapse
The airline had been in talks with the Trump administration about a $500m bailout.
theguardian.com
Spirit Airlines shutdown: how to get home and get refunds
If you’ve been snagged in the airline’s now-defunct flight schedule, here are some things to know about next stepsThe collapse of the US-based Spirit Airlines may mark the end of an era for travelers with a certain financial sensibility.But if you’ve been snagged in their now-defunct flight schedule, here are some things to know on how to get home, and get whole. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Solar booms in industrial US midwest as energy crisis persists
Electricity has become one of the most important commodities in the region thanks to demand from datacenters, Iran war and rising utility charges For decades, the only regular visitors to the Twin Lake Reservoir in Lima, Ohio, were fishers passing hot summer evenings trying to snag a largemouth bass.But today, it’s a hive of activity. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Less financial stability, smaller social safety nets: inside the gen Z investing boom
Apps, AI tools and shaky job prospects are pushing gen Z into markets earlier, blending caution with risk-takingAmbrico Ranginui first heard of cryptocurrencies when he was 12 years old. By the time he was 16, he had saved enough from birthday gifts and his allowance to invest.“Growing up in a single-mum household, it made me quite a determined person to get ahead,” Ranginui said. “I wanted to find new avenues to make money and crypto was so fascinating at the time.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Britain pioneered the comfortable retirement – but that golden age is coming to an end | Helen McCarthy
The once inexorable rise in retiree living standards since the second world war has broken down. Can we keep the dream alive for future generations?When you think of retirement, what comes to mind? Perhaps it is images of older people enjoying a well-deserved period of leisure and comfort in the final stretch of their lives. Cruise ships, garden centres, golf clubs and bungalows by the sea. The truth is that this image is now, in large part, the artefact of a bygone age. A long and comfortable retirement starting at 60 or 65 is beginning to look like a collective social experience whose moment has passed. The political and economic forces it relied upon appear to have run their course – and it’s time to start thinking about what comes next. Retirement in Britain has a surprisingly short history, underpinned by dramatic improvements in older people’s quality of life over the past 50 years. Large public and private bureaucracies first started to enrol long-serving employees into pension schemes from the mid-19th century. In 1909, Britain introduced an old age pension funded by the state and targeting the poorest, who could claim it from the age of 70. But it was only after the second world war that a period of leisured old age become an ordinary expectation for most British workers.Helen McCarthy is a historian and the author of Double Lives: A History of Working Motherhood Continue reading...
theguardian.com
New free financial advice plan aims to help Britons build savings
‘Targeted support’ means certain banks and financial institutions can offer free extra help with investments and pensionsMany Britons are daunted by the world of investing, but new City rules mean certain banks and financial institutions can offer free extra help with investments and pensions.Last month marked the launch of “targeted support”, a new regulated service that permits companies to suggest investments and pension products to customers that might provide a better return. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘People can see it – but can’t use it’: mystery of completed East-West Rail line that has no passenger trains
The East West Rail project linking Oxford to Milton Keynes was finished in 2024. There’s just one hitch: no servicesThe rumbling noise in the night, still enough to waken the unhabituated, is what really goads some people living in Winslow, Buckinghamshire. Freight trains running through the new station since late 2024 prove this stretch of railway is operational. But the long-promised passenger services have yet to appear – and there is no sign of any arriving soon.Welcome to East West Rail, open or not. For well over a decade, ministers have talked up a new railway linking Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes to accelerate the drive for housing, jobs and growth – an arc of tech industry hailed as the UK’s answer to Silicon Valley. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Mortgages, jobs and energy bills - how the Iran war will affect your money
The Bank of England's latest report reveals some interesting details on how our finances will be affected due to the Iran war.
bbc.com
Pentagon says US military to be an 'AI-first' fighting force
The US military has agreed eight new contracts with big tech firms as it expands its artificial intelligence capabilities.
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Trump says he will hike tariffs on EU cars to 25%
The current level of tariffs charged on goods entering the US from the EU is 15%, under a deal negotiated last July.
bbc.com
The Real Greek rescued by Cote Brasserie-owner
All but nine of the Mediterranean chain's 28 outlets are being taken over by the family-owned Karali group.
bbc.com
No evidence of widespread fuel price-gouging, watchdog says
Profit margins were "broadly unchanged" between February and March, the UK's competition watchdog says.
bbc.com
Crayola toys recalled over possible asbestos contamination
People should stop using the products immediately and keep out of the reach of children, the government says.
theguardian.com
‘Temu Range Rover’: what the bestselling Jaecoo 7 says about China’s electric car ascendancy
Loaded with extras and produced at a cut price, the crossover SUV has overtaken rival cars from US, Japanese and Korean firmsThe UK is no stranger to foreign cars. The bestseller lists in recent years have been dominated by the US’s Ford Puma, Japan’s Nissan Qashqai, Korea’s Kia Sportage and occasionally even Tesla’s Model Y.But in March the top 10 provided a shock: a Chinese car leapt into the lead. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Billions of meals at risk due to Iran war, says fertiliser boss
A shortage of fertiliser due to the Iran conflict could reduce crop yields and push prices higher, says the boss of Yara.
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'I earn £36k but I can't afford to buy a house'
Shelter Cymru says privately rented homes are unaffordable for most people across Wales.
bbc.com
How the Iran war affects your money and bills
The conflict in the Middle East has increased pressure on the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.
bbc.com
How will car finance compensation payments work?
Millions could be entitled to compensation as a result of commission arrangements between lenders and dealers.
bbc.com
Will AI lead to more accurate opinion polls?
It's cheaper and faster to collect people's opinions using AI, but will it make polls more accurate?
bbc.com
'There were letters I didn't want to open': Rise in unpaid debt court cases
The number of county court judgements rose by 17.5% in the first quarter of this year compared to last, data suggests.
theguardian.com
Bank of England warns UK should brace for higher inflation due to Middle East war – video
The Bank of England has left interest rates unchanged at 3.75% but warned that the UK may need to brace for hikes later this year, as a result of the war in the Middle East.The Bank’s rate-setting monetary policy committee voted to leave borrowing costs on hold on Thursday, with its nine-members split 8-1 in their decision.Andrew Bailey, the central bank’s governor, said the war in the Middle East was causing inflation to rise this year. He added that the policymakers were monitoring the global situation and its impact on the UK economy 'very closely', but that the decision to hold rates at 3.75% for now is a 'reasonable place given the situation of the economy and the unpredictability of events in the Middle East'Business liveBank of England warns ‘higher inflation is unavoidable’ after leaving interest rates on hold Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why your favourite brands are suddenly failing
You’re not imagining it. Smaller portions. Higher prices. Worse service. It’s easy to blame inflation, but that’s not the full story. Over the last few decades, a financial model has quietly taken over huge parts of everyday life. From restaurants and retailers to vets and care homes, many of the brands we rely on are no longer being run as long-term businesses, but as investments designed to generate fast returns. In this video, Neelam Tailor breaks down how private equity actually works, why it’s grown so quickly, and how it can reshape the businesses you interact with every day. Continue reading...
bbc.com
The kelp producer who wants to get Americans eating seaweed
Marine farmer Suzie Flores also hopes the crop can revitalise the US's small fishing towns.
bbc.com
Why has the UAE left Opec - and why does this matter?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is quitting oil cartel Opec after nearly 60 years of membership.
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What do shoppers think about the future of their high street?
Freshney Place is being renovated to include a new food hall and five-screen cinema.
bbc.com
Why Spotify has no button to filter out AI music
Music streamer Deezer allows users to filter out AI music, so why does Spotify not offer the same?
bbc.com
Why Elon Musk and Sam Altman are fighting over OpenAI
Musk, who co-founded the company that created ChatGPT with Altman, wants more than $130bn in damages.
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How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific
Tuna populations around the Pacific Islands could move away as ocean temperatures increase.
bbc.com
From scientist to silk farmer: India's silk industry renewal
Silk production is an increasingly high-tech business in India.
bbc.com
High street drug dealer sells cannabis to undercover reporter
Across the UK, shopfronts are being exploited by criminal gangs pushing illegal drugs, experts say.
bbc.com
What the Warner Bros deal could mean for streaming, cinemas and news
If Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros goes ahead it could significantly reshape Hollywood.
bbc.com
How a pivot to hair accessories led to business success
Jenny Lennick's colourful hair clips are sold across the US and around the world.
bbc.com
The 'dumb machine' promising a clean energy breakthrough
A stellarator is difficult to build, but could it be the best way to make fusion energy work?
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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